Family Law Attorney in Santa Clarita 

Those are the kind of headlines that can easily catch your eye; especially if you are faced with a world of emotional and financial realities that stem from imminent divorce. Divorce for a flat fee, or divorce in 90 days. Those are headlines to get you in the door. And for some that will work. With almost 50 percent of Americans marriages ending in divorce every year, quick divorces have become an economical alternative to the more traditional procedures. But let's take a closer look at the fast fix and make sure everyone understands what is really involved. At the Law Office of Steven B. Chroman, we offer help with uncontested divorce, mediation and more, but we are always up front and clear about what the requirements are.

While quick divorces are not for everybody, there are indeed couples who can benefit from it. For example:

• Spouses/Partners who do not have children or whose children are out of high school, can opt for a quick divorce, as there would be no child custody and support issues to resolve. This does not resolve obviously other issues, however, custody and support often are major sticking issues.

• Couples who have no financial debts and those who can resolve property division amicably before initiating the divorce proceedings. If both parties agree to terminate the marriage quickly, quick divorces can be arranged and executed in a matter of months.

Quick divorces, however, are not recommended in certain cases.

• Fighting couples that cannot agree on property division or other issues should go through the regular divorce proceeding channels.

• If one of the parties does not agree to sign papers or cannot be located, a quick divorce would not be possible.

• If the petitioner has a claim or is expecting something from the other side, then a quick divorce is also not an option.

Always use a checklist when considering your future, because the promise of a quick result may haunt you for the rest of your life.

Divorce is a difficult experience on many levels: emotionally, legally, and often financially. Having the right Attorney or Mediator can reduce all of these burdens. The Santa Clarita Divorce Lawyers and Mediators at the Law Offices of Steven B. Chroman, P.C., are committed to helping you understand your options and make the best choices for yourself. Call our offices at 661-255-1800 or visit us online at www.ANewWay2Divorce.com and www.chromanlaw.com for a free consultation today!

Be sure to visit amazon.com for Steven B. Chroman's Best Selling Divorce Workbook

This article was originally published in Santa Clarita Magazine as part of our firm’s mission to make family law information more accessible to the Santa Clarita community. Read the full feature and others at santaclaritamagazine.com.

1. Sort out details in advance

This is a must. Nail down the specifics about who gets which days around the winter holidays, including pickup times and locations. Sometimes the details are in your custody agreement, sometimes not. Put it all in an e-mail or in another written document and stick to the deal. Don't fight about time or anything else with the children present.

2. Don't out-Santa each other

If you can speak civilly with your ex, talk about a general budget for presents and the number of presents. Don't outdo each other. Remember the spirit of the holidays and avoid trying to buy the children off with fabulous presents. And don't buy that violent video game for the specific purpose of angering your ex. At the same time, accept that parents may have different standards about what are acceptable gifts. If you are opposed to some games, you may need to accept they will exist at your ex's house.

3. Keep some traditions, within reason

Children love routine and ritual, so keep a few family traditions if you can. If you baked dozens of different types of cookies for everyone in your life, reduce the number of cookies but keep your daughter's favorite 'snickerdoodles'. If your family liked to take a trip into the woods to cut down a tree, you may have to explain that your smaller car can't haul such a tree. Talk with your children ahead of time and find out what is really important to them.

4. Don't push too much togetherness

While some ex-spouses can sing carols around the Christmas tree or light the Hanukkah candles together with the kids and both sets of grandparents, that's not the reality for everyone. Some do not want to spend time with people who left them or whom they chose to leave. Some people fight every time they see each other. Do not force more togetherness than either of you can handle and don't feel guilty about it.

5. Don't lobby for your sweetheart

Bringing a new significant other to the family festivities can really throw the holiday's off-balance for the family. Avoid if it's going to cause trouble. Remember, it's about the children, not you.

To secure any of your custody arrangements before the holidays please call the Law Offices of Steven B. Chroman at 661-255-1800 or visit us at www.chromanlaw.com.

This article was originally published in Santa Clarita Magazine as part of our firm’s mission to make family law information more accessible to the Santa Clarita community. Read the full feature and others at santaclaritamagazine.com.

Lets face it, many of us never thought the day would come that we would need to hire an attorney- let alone a divorce attorney... it is a difficult and emotional time, and yet you must make the right decision or you could end up losing a lot of time and money. I find many of my potential clients are ill informed as to what questions to ask, and after they have 'interviewed' other attorney's they are even more confused than when they began. I believe we can all benefit by having a little help in the interviewing department... it might help others, and honestly it would help me too- because you will leave feeling confident that you hired the right person to represent you.

What questions should I ask a potential Attorney?

First, please know, that whomever you meet with, all of your communication is privileged if it is a one on one meeting- and you should be as open and honest as possible.

• What experience do you have with this type of case

• What are the possible outcomes (best and/or worst case scenario)

• How will we communicate while the case is on going?

• Do you have partners or associates that will be working on the case with you?

• What role will I play in the case?

• How will you get paid?

• Are you comfortable trying to solve this without going to trial?

• What is your hourly rate? Do you need an advance retainer? (It is not really necessary to ask this as the attorney will probably tell you- however you can follow this question up with; if the case settles tomorrow is the balance of the retainer refundable?)

These might seem like very simple questions; however, in the end it is how you feel after they have answered these questions that will help you decide the right attorney for you.

For more information you can call 661-362-0718 visit our website at www.chromanlaw.com

This article was originally published in Santa Clarita Magazine as part of our firm’s mission to make family law information more accessible to the Santa Clarita community. Read the full feature and others at santaclaritamagazine.com.